Preposition (in / for / about etc.) + -ing
interested in doing · by / without / before / after · look forward to doing — Complete Guide
Préposition (in / for / about etc.) + -ing
interested in doing · by / without / before / after · look forward to doing — Guide Complet
After a preposition, a verb always takes the -ing form — never the infinitive. This unit covers adjective + preposition + -ing, by / without / before / after structures, and the special to + -ing group.
Après une préposition, un verbe prend toujours la forme -ing — jamais l’infinitif. Cette unité couvre adjectif + préposition + -ing, les structures by / without / before / after, et le groupe spécial to + -ing.
The key rule is simple: after a preposition, always use -ing (not the infinitive). So: interested in doing, tired of waiting, good at playing. This applies whether the preposition follows an adjective, a verb, or a noun — and also in structures like by doing, without saying, and look forward to seeing.
La règle clé est simple : après une préposition, on utilise toujours -ing (pas l’infinitif). Ainsi : interested in doing, tired of waiting, good at playing. Cela s’applique que la préposition suive un adjectif, un verbe ou un nom — et aussi dans des structures comme by doing, without saying, et look forward to seeing.
Preposition + -ing
Préposition + -ing
A verb that follows a preposition must be in the -ing form:
Un verbe qui suit une préposition doit être au -ing :
She’s good at learning languages. I’m tired of waiting.
He insisted on paying. Thanks very much for helping me! Are you interested in working for us? (PAS in to work)
She’s good at learning languages. I’m tired of waiting.
He insisted on paying. Thanks very much for helping me!
Common adjective + preposition combinations followed by -ing:
Combinaisons courantes adjectif + préposition suivies de -ing :
Common verb + preposition combinations followed by -ing:
Combinaisons courantes verbe + préposition suivies de -ing :
by / without / before / after + -ing
by / without / before / after + -ing
by + -ing = method / means
by + -ing = méthode / moyen
without + -ing = without doing it
without + -ing = sans le faire
Before leaving, please make sure you have everything. (NOT Before to leave)
What did you do after leaving school? Before leaving, please make sure you have everything. (PAS Before to leave)
What did you do after leaving school?
to + -ing (look forward to / used to / object to / in addition to)
to + -ing (look forward to / used to / object to / in addition to)
In these expressions, to is a preposition, not part of the infinitive. So the verb after it must be -ing:
Dans ces expressions, to est une préposition, pas une marque d’infinitif. Le verbe qui suit doit donc être au -ing :
Are you used to getting up early?
She objects to being told what to do.
In addition to speaking French, she also speaks Arabic.
I prefer swimming to running. I’m looking forward to seeing you. (PAS to see)
Are you used to getting up early?
She objects to being told what to do.
In addition to speaking French, she also speaks Arabic.
I prefer swimming to running.
Complete with the correct preposition.
Complétez avec la bonne préposition.
Complete with by, without, before or after + the verb in brackets.
Complétez avec by, without, before ou after + le verbe entre parenthèses.
Complete with to + the verb in brackets (-ing form).
Complétez avec to + le verbe entre parenthèses (forme -ing).
Remember: ‘to’ is a preposition in all these sentences.
Rappel : ‘to’ est une préposition dans toutes ces phrases.
Mixed. Add the missing preposition and put the verb into the -ing form.
Mixte. Ajoutez la préposition manquante et mettez le verbe au -ing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Fréquentes
After any preposition, a verb takes the -ing form. “In” is a preposition, so the verb that follows must be -ing: good at playing, tired of waiting, proud of winning.
Après toute préposition, un verbe prend la forme -ing : good at playing, tired of waiting, proud of winning.
In “look forward to”, the ‘to’ is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. After a preposition, always use -ing: “I’m looking forward to seeing you.” ✓
Dans “look forward to”, le ‘to’ est une préposition. Après une préposition, toujours -ing.
By + -ing = the method: She improved by practising every day. Without + -ing = the action did not happen: He left without saying goodbye.
By + -ing = la méthode. Without + -ing = l’action ne s’est pas produite.
No. be used to + -ing = accustomed to something now: I’m used to getting up early. used to + infinitive = past habit no longer happening: I used to get up early (but not any more).
Non. be used to + -ing = habitude actuelle. used to + infinitif = habitude passée révolue.
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